Kalpana's town celebrates Sunita's safe return

Karnal, June 23: Karnal, the town of Kalpana Chawla, felt euphoric and celebrated the safe-return of Indo-American astronaut Sunita Williams as her shuttle Atlantis kissed the earth at 0120 hrs today.

Tagore Bal Niketan school, alma mater of Kalpana Chawla, which had been fervently praying for the safe landing of the Indian-origin astronaut , hoisted the national flag to mark the momentous occasion.

Memories of Kalpana came alive as people began to rejoice, coming out of their houses even during the wee hours, hugging each other, distributing sweets and complimenting on phones.

Sunita, who had been close to Kalpana, had been a pillar of strength to her family after her untimely demise in the Discovery tragedy.

Expressing joy over her successful return, Kalpana's father B L Chawla said it was like a rebirth of his own daughter. ''She is like Chhoti Kalpana for my family and just like Kalpana she has done the country proud,'' he told UNI over phone.

''It seems as if Kalpana didi has come back,'' students of her alma mater said in a chorus.

Meanwhile, Divya Jyoti and Ankush Bishnoi, both students of Tagore Bal Niketan have been selected for NASA, USA for the summer camp training.

This would be the tenth party from the school to have gone to NASA, all due to the efforts of late Kalpana Chawla. So far 18 students from the school have visited the US.

The duo would begin their camp on July 20 and come back on August six this year, Director Vimla Raheja and Principal Rajan Lamba said.

UNI

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